"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory..."Ephesians 3:20-21
Happy Easter, everyone! I hope you have a great day, and take some time to reflect on the true meaning of Easter...Jesus, and the empty tomb! I can only imagine the overwhelming joy that was felt when Mary Magdalene discovered that He had risen from dead, and overcome the grave. How amazing! Now, we can say along with the apostle Paul, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (1 Cor. 15:55) For Jesus died once and for all, so that we may not perish, but have everlasting life. Praise the Lord! Friday was not a good Friday for Jesus, but it was a great Friday for us. Aren't you so thankful that on that Friday he wore a crown of thorns, but is now sitting at the right hand of God wearing the victor's crown?! His death was not the end- but rather an end of the beginning..the beginning of life! Praise Him today, friends!``
28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said..." (Matthew 28:1-6)
Oh, goodness, friends...it's been far too long. In all honesty, I just haven't had the motivation to pour my heart on a page, and lots of things have been happening over the last few weeks. I've had three family members who have had health issues, friends that are broken hearted, and a personal issue of my own. Thus, the reason I haven't been blogging. What I've really been focused on over the last month or so, is just dwelling in the presence of God to pray and worship. One song in particular that I've been loving is, Before the Morning, by Josh Wilson. I love the truth in the song, that weeping may last for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5) How precious it is that we serve a God who specializes in turning our mourning into dancing. Even when we're walking through the valley, God already knows the ending, and is preparing for us the highest mountain top that we've ever experienced. Sometimes we just have to experience the dark, before the morning; and, take heart, friends, because the morning is coming and is bringing with it joy like never before.
I heard this new song by Francesca Battistelli this morning, and I feel like it pretty much sums up the season of life I'm in right now. For the last three months I feel like I've been analyzing every little thing in my life- Am I making the right decisions? Is this God's will? Could I be interfering with God's will?I wonder what the next year is going to bring?...I could go on and on. The other day I was listening to Beth Moore, and she said something like, "Sometimes I feel like there are 14 people living in my head, and I just want to say, WILL YOU ALL JUST PLEASE SIT DOWN!!!!" I can totally relate. However, what I've learned to be true is that when I tune out all the questions, all the noise, all the daily distractions, and when I begin to focus on the goodness of His glory, His infinite wisdom, and His unfailing love- all my worries, all my questions, all my fears, begin to grow strangely dim. Praise be to God for His peace that passes all understanding. Today I would encourage you to turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and see just how quickly the things of this earth begin to fade.
I heard this song on our way to church this morning, and am so excited to share it with you. I've been dealing with a personal issue lately, and woke up to yet another disappointment, so this song couldn't have came on at a better time. I know that God's timing, and His alone is perfect. Not what I think should happen, or when it should happen, but when He wants it to happen. Therefore, I will remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord. He is my strength and my song. My light and my salvation. My refuge and strong tower. He is my everything, and I put my hope in Him and Him alone. I hope this song speaks to you and encourages you in the way it did me, today.
